Report on Open Governance Network Building in Uganda

This 13-page report shares the process of open governance network building achieved during a research process in Uganda conducted by The Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Action Research Network. Studies were intended to form the basis of awareness-raising, advocacy, and network building activities, and serve as a springboard for future activities such as advocating for open governance by building a network of actors to raise awareness and to make use of open government data (OGD).

CIPESA conducted the two studies between January and April 2012. The Uganda Open Government Data (OGD) readiness study primarily engaged senior government officials, mid-level public servants, members of the media, academia, private sector, and donor agencies, and assessed the status of Uganda on a number of issues that would affect the ability to undertake an OGD programme. The second study captured citizens' perceptions on open governance in Uganda, with a view to making prospective open governance initiatives in the country responsive to the needs and aspirations of citizens.

The citizens' perceptions assessment showed that departments and ministries should open up their data as a priority, and also identified various forms of data that citizens need to have greater access to. In addition, it showed that the level of openness in government departments is severely low, even though there are laws that call for openness, and despite having clear examples of how increased openness results in public good. On the other hand, the OGD readiness study showed that there was a critical mass to drive demand and usage of open government data, to conduct awareness-raising on the need for increased openness by government and for citizens to use this data.

According to the report, along with gathering information, the research process also provided an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for open governance.

• Meetings and interviews: During the open government data readiness assessment, CIPESA researchers spoke to more than 30 individuals. Apart from informing them about open governance, the exercise was part of CIPESA's advocacy campaign focused on key government and non-government officials, meant to bring the importance of open governance to their attention, and point them to relevant case studies where open governance had been practiced and why the Uganda government needs to open up its data to the public. CIPESA also reached out to several individuals to take part in the survey of citizens' perceptions on open governance. The survey attracted 68 respondents, with 71% male and 29% female.
• Use of mailing lists and social media: Awareness about open governance was created through distributing the study instruments via a number of mailing lists in Uganda. Although the main objective of this exercise was to gather responses from citizens’ perceptions on open governance in Uganda, the urgency for the need of open governance was instigated among the members of these lists. The two lists used are I-Network run by the knowledge-sharing organisation Information Network Uganda and WIU-Forum, which is run by Women of Uganda Network. Additionally, the survey instrument was shared on twitter, CIPESA’s Facebook page, and selected Facebook pages that attract Ugandan citizens. Further, the findings of these exercises will be shared among all interviewed personnel and organisations and on mailing lists like the I-Network and the WSIS Forum - Uganda as a way of creating awareness.
• Dissemination and advocacy for OGD: On June 28, 2012 CIPESA and Women of Uganda Network organised a one day conference on Promoting Good Governance and Accountability through use of ICTs in Uganda. The main objectives of this event were to share research findings from the two organisations’ projects and discuss strategies on promoting governance and accountability in Uganda through use of ICTs and discuss strategies. The event attracted various stakeholders including local government officials and civil society organisations, media, and Academia, and over 60 copies of the report were disseminated to participants.
• Network development: As part of the wider advocacy campaign, CIPESA identified key organisations that would form the wider Uganda OGD network. These are organisations that were approached during the research either to offer interviews or as part of information sharing and are involved in lobbying for transparency and accountability in government service delivery. A number of them have interest or capacity to re-use open data. The network's mission is to introduce Uganda government to civil society groups; private companies with experience, skill sets, and technology that can assist in conceptualising and implementing best practice in open governance. This network will comprise both a learning community and a Community of Practice, with systematic interaction between groups allowing for knowledge exchanges and further network cooperation in advocacy and awareness creation.

According to the report, the study served as a springboard for advocacy campaigns and raised awareness amongst a wide range of stakeholders both local and international.